Baja Mexico Sea Quest

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• Locations: La Paz and Cabo Pulmo, Baja California Sur, Mexico

• Activities: Snorkeling and free-diving, kayaking, camping, hiking, reef surveys. SCUBA available for an additional fee.

• Skill Level: Must know how to swim

• Level of Difficulty: Easy to Moderate

• Educational Emphasis: Introduction to the ecology of the Gulf of California, desert plants and animals adaptations, fish ID and behavior, environmental issues of the Gulf of California's marine and desert habitats, and cultural history of lower Baja.

   

Almost 500 years ago, after conquering the Aztecs, Conquistador Hernan Cortez explored shoreline along the body of water know today as the Gulf of California. Many years later, explorers name the gulf The Sea of Cortez and many followed in search of gold, the Amazons, and the Northwest Passage.

One of the largest and best preserved deserts in Mexico, the Baja California Desert is home to many endemic and endangered species. The peninsula’s isolation is largely responsible for the high levels of endemism and diversity. Close to 500 species of plants, 4 amphibians, 43 reptiles, around 200 birds and over 50 mammals have adapted to difficult ecological conditions – from almost inhospitable hot and dry sand dunes, to nutrient-deficient soils in the mountains. Twenty-three percent of plant species in Baja California are endemic.

Below the waterline is an oasis of life. Jaques Yves Cousteau called the Sea of Cortez "The World's Aquarium". Due to the unique mixing of temperature, sunlight, deep ocean nutrients, and topography the Sea of Cortez is one of 5 of the most productive and biologically diverse marine ecosystems in the world. Here you will find 14 species of coral, 890 species of fish, of which 90 are endemic and 40% of the world's marine mammal population can be found here at various times of the year.

The natural resources of the Sea of Cortez are threatened by various human caused actions such as illegal fishing, habitat destruction, aquaculture activities, and mega tourism.

Join Green Edventures on our quest to remote southern Baja in our pursuit for education and conservation of the Sea of Cortez.